South African PET manufacturer Q Pet is expanding its production capabilities to include the local manufacture of tethered closures at its Pietermaritzburg facility. Established in 1988, the family-owned business continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation, sustainability and responsive local manufacturing.
The strategic investment comes at a pivotal time, as regional retail groups increasingly seek locally produced tethered closures to support sustainability targets and regulatory requirements. With its established manufacturing expertise, Q Pet has moved decisively to meet this growing demand.
“The demand for locally produced tethered closures represents a significant opportunity for South African manufacturing,” says Ziyaad Moosa, CEO of Q Pet. “By investing in this technology now, we’re not only responding to current market needs but also preparing for the future of sustainable packaging.”
Meeting market and sustainability objectives
To successfully implement the expansion, Q Pet required a comprehensive solution capable of:
- Meeting rising local demand for tethered closures
- Delivering high-quality closures suitable for high-speed filling operations
- Supporting sustainability goals through lightweight, precision-engineered designs
- Reducing the carbon footprint associated with imported closures
The Husky solution
Q Pet’s collaboration with Husky Technologies has developed over several years of strategic planning and market evaluation. While the vision for local tethered closure production was clear, both companies sought to ensure the timing and technology were aligned with South African market requirements.
In 2024, that alignment materialised with the implementation of Husky’s HyCAP mold technology. The solution offers:
- Superior closure quality optimised for high-speed filling lines
- Advanced tethered designs featuring a 180-degree opening angle and secure locking mechanism
- Precision-engineered lightweight construction that advances sustainability objectives while maintaining structural integrity
The new production line has been installed, with commissioning currently underway. Initial 38mm tethered closure production will exceed 200 million units annually. Later this year, Q Pet will introduce 28mm tethered PCO 1881 closures, with an initial annual capacity of 200 million units.
“As we expand our capabilities with this new tethered closure line, we remain focused on sustainable growth and local market development,” Moosa adds. “This investment reflects our commitment to environmental responsibility and South African manufacturing excellence.”
Strengthening local manufacturing and reducing carbon impact
By localising tethered closure production, Q Pet significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with imports while strengthening its position as a Level 2 BBBEE supplier registered with South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE).
Beyond tethered closures, Q Pet has recently increased its preform, blowing and closure production capacity using the latest available technologies. The company continues to invest as new opportunities emerge across food, dairy and beverage markets.
About HyCAP™ closure molding technology
HyCAP™ is Husky’s advanced closure molding platform designed for high-performance beverage closure production, including innovative tethered designs.
Key benefits include:
- High-performance production: Consistent, high-quality output suited to high-speed filling operations
- Advanced tethered functionality: Enhanced opening angle and secure locking mechanism for improved consumer experience
- Lightweight engineering: Reduced material usage while maintaining strength and performance
- Versatile applications: Suitable for beverage, food, dairy and other packaging markets
HyCAP™ technology provides manufacturers such as Q Pet with the precision, efficiency and scalability required to meet evolving regulatory standards and sustainability expectations.